Lohgad, literally meaning the iron fort, is a hill fort located in the Pune District in South Maharashtra near the hill-station of Lonavala. The fort stands on the edge of the Sahyadri Range and lies between the Indrayani and Pavana river basins. Because of its strategic location the Lohagad Fort is often considered as the strongest and most famous Deccan forts. Over the decade and centuries the fort has changed hands several times and each dynasty have contributed in strengthening its fortification turn the Lohagad into a mighty citadel. Lohagad along with 11 other forts are part of the UNESCO Heritage Site titled Maratha Military Landscapes of India.
Understand
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Nothing much is known about the origin of the fort. The first record of the fort dates back to the mid 15th century, when it was mentioned as a fort under the Bahamani Sultanate. With the fall of the Bahamani Sultanate, it came under the control of the Ahmadnagar Sultanate, followed by the Bijapur Sultanate. Shivaji took over the fort in 1657 but lost it to the Mughals in 1665. In 1670 the Marathas again took control of Lohagad. Finally, the British took control and the fort remained in their control till it was abandoned in the mid 19th century and declared a protected monument in 1909. In 2025, Lohagad, along with 12 (11 in Maharashtra and 1 in Tamil Nadu) came under the UNESCO Heritage Site titled Maratha Military Landscapes of India.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]- Jagadguru Sant Tukaram Maharaj Airport, Pune (IATA: PNQ), is the nearest airport (65 km).
By train
[edit]- 1 Malavli railway station. Local trains between Pune Junction - Lonavla, Shivajinagar - Lonavla stop here. The only passenger train having a stop at this station is the Pune - Karjat Passenger.
By car
[edit]- For people traveling from Mumbai or staying back in PCMC, the route is via Lonavala. If starting from Pune take old Mumbai Pune highway. Just after you cross toll plaza before lonavala, keep your left till you cross “Manshakti”. There is a Y-type left turn just after “Manshakti”. Take that left and drive for another ~200 m to take very first left again. You are on the way to Lohgad after crossing the place called “Bhangarwadi” from where it is 8-10 km. If you come across a railway crossing and Mumbai-Pune highway twice you are on right track. You are on way to Paud, continue till you reach “Dudhiware Khind”. Just before it, take left for Lohgad from here it is around 4 km. The road ahead is very steep with couple of sharp turns but safe.
- For people traveling from Pune city, the route is via Chandani chowk – Pirangut - Paud. After reaching Paud take right and drive for around 40 km. Just after you cross “Dudhiware Khind” you reach to the same place. Take right for Lohgad base. It is tar road and you can reach comfortably till the “Paytha”. It’s a wonderful place and should be tried in between mid August to mid September when you can still have rain but the intensity comes down.
Get around
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- 2 Lohagad Fort entry. Walking is the only option. The main attraction is the fort. It is approximately 915 m above sea level. The climb is not that difficult, but it is steep. It is advisable to have the best footwear as the mountains can really get very slippery during the monsoon.
See
[edit]Lohagad Fort
[edit]The Lohagad Fort is located atop a table top approachable by a flight of zig-zag stairs passing through four gigantic gateways and past massive bastions. The triangular table top is devoid of any major structure, but does house an unknown tomb, a couple of darghas, rock-cut caves, tanks and water source, etc.
- Gates. Winding stairways and paths with sharp hairpin bends lead through the top of the fort. The path passes through four massive gateways consisting of thick spiked wooden doors. The gates are flanked by bastions and guard houses.
- Ganesh Darwaja. This is the first of the four gateways of Lohagad Fort. It was constructed by Nana Fadnavis in 1789. Images of Ganpati (Ganesh) flank the gate on both sides and are probably the reason for the nomenclature. Next to the Ganesh Darwaja, a set of three cannons is on display.
- Narayan Darwaja. The second gate, Narayan Darwaja, was also an addition of Nana Fadnavis in 1789. It is approached by a narrow flight of stairs and is strategically very important. The gate provides a great bird's-eye view of the winding stairs and pathways, along with the massive bastions.
- Hanuman Darwaja. Hanuman Darwaza is the third gateway of the Lohagad Fort. This is probably an older gateway and is said to have been constructed by Aurangzeb in the late 17th century. It once served as the main gateway of the fort.
- Maha Darwaja. Maha Darwaza, literally meaning the grand gate, is the last and final gate of the Lohagad Fort. Living up to its name, it is a grand structure flanked by bastions and complete with a guard and drum house. The Maha Darwaja is the last of the gateways and leads to the triangular table top. Adjoining the Maha Darwaja is a small display providing information on the history of the fort and about trails to explore the table top.
- 1 Unknown Mausoleum. It is located slightly north-west of the Maha Darwaza. It is the largest standing structure in the fort complex. The square structure is topped with a dome. Sadly, nothing is known about the tomb or its occupants. Next to the tomb is an open paved area marked as sabha mandap or assembly area, housing three cannons.
- 2 Mahadev Temple. A small flat-roofed stone structure. The area in front of the temple has been paved and houses a statue of a Nandi bull.
- 3 Tryambak Tank. Tryambak Tank is an octagonal tank located north of the Mahadev Temple.
- 4 Drinking Water source. North of Tryambak Tank are small stone reservoirs that once supplied drinking water to the fort's inhabitants.
- 5 16 sided Tank. North of the drinking water source is the 16-sided tank. It is a large water body with two separate flights of stairs. It ws built by Nana Fadnavis in 1789.
- 6 Vinchu Kata (scorpion’s tail). At the northern vertex of the triangular table-top lies a narrow strip of elevated rock stretching about 500m with an average width of 15 m. It looks like a scorpion’s tail, which is why it’s called Vinchu Kata. However, the Vinchu Kata is not accessible to visitors. A barricade with a board saying “No Entry Beyond This Point” prevents visitors from getting into the narrow stretch of elevated land.
- 7 Unknown Dargah atop the knoll. The table top of Lohagad is flat apart from a central knoll (a small, low, round natural hill or mound), located at the middle of the tableland. Atop the knoll stands a dargah with a couple of tombs. Nothing much is known about the occupants of the tomb. There are no structures. The graves stand on an elevated platform surrounded by a metallic railing. It is an active dargah with fresh sheets being laid above graves by locals.
- 8 Dargah of Shaikh Umar Avalia. Located in the shadows of the knoll on the north-eastern side lies a roofless structure consisting of two chambers. The chamber on the west houses the remains of Shaikh Umar Avalia. This is also an active dargh, and on the full moon day in the month of Poush (Dec – Jan), 1000 devotees (irrespective of religion) visit the place.
- 9 Lakshmi Kothi. The eastern edge of the table top houses several rock-cut Buddhist caves. One of the caves is known as Lakshmi Kothi. Nothing much is known about the origin of the caves. According to experts they date back to 2nd century CE.
Beyond Lohagad Fort
[edit]- 10 Bhaja Caves. Buddhist holy site consisting of a number of rock-cut caves dating back to the 2nd century BC.
- 11 Visapur Fort.
Eat and drink
[edit]There is a place where you get home food just at the base of the fort. These are locals serving exclusive Maharashtrian food at rates as cheap as ₹40 per person- unlimited. Do not forget to savour their "aamti" and "sheera".
It is better to carry your own water.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Lohagad Valley Camping. Area to pitch a tent, can get cover for sun.
- 2 Shivkrupa Hotel, Lohagad Trek Rd, ☏ +91 83907 39304. Basic accommodation at the foot of the fort stairs. Meals available.
Stay safe
[edit]If it rains very heavily, it is advisable not to climb too far up as various parts of the fort become extremely slippery and there are little gushes of water flowing from all ends, making climbing even difficult.
Go next
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